Self-lighting cigarette



SELF LIGHTING CIGARETTE Filed May 22, 1951 dA -0NVENTOR BY ATTORNEY I 7& Iva 0 M Patented Jan. 9, 1934 SELF-LIGHTING CIGARETTE John Parsons, Montclair, N. J., assignor to Pan- Ross Laboratories, Inc.,

poration of New York New York, N. Y., a cor- Application May 22, 1931. Serial No. 539,166

18 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in self-lighting cigarettes and the like, and has for its object the providing of means capable of being embodied with a cigarette and containing the elements necessary to light same without a match or any other outside flame, and to accomplish this result without the use of any ingredients injurious or unpleasant to the smoker and at a minimum effort and expense, at the same time accomplishing the results in a highly effective manner.

It is a further object to secure the sure lighting of a cigarette in a uniform and even manner by providing suitable coal-forming material ad jacent the tobacco at the end of the cigarette or similar article, which in turn is ignited by suitable fulminating elements.

In the preferred form of my invention, these objects are accomplished by applying at the end of the cigarette or similar article a fuse associated with a fulminate, which fuse contains readily combustible coal-forming material for igniting the cigarette bound by and formed into a band formation by a base of an internally combustible 25 material such as intro-cellulose or a similar compound, and which may be held in place against the cigarette paper by a glue formed of a similar substance or formed by partially dissolving a slight amount of the nitro-cellulose base of the 30 fuse band itself by the application of a solvent.

I am aware that there have been attempts heretofore made to prepare self-lighting cigarettes, but, so far as I know, none have successfully solved the problem nor has intro-cellulose been used in the forming of the igniting band applied adjacent the lighting end of the cigarette. Nitro-cellulose has the peculiar property of being internally combustible; that is, it will burn within itself without requiring any outside oxygen. It therefore forms an ideal binder for the coal-forming material of the fuse band and also for the fulminating mixtures. The nitrocellulose also imparts moisture proof qualities to the igniting band. It also permits the igniting band to be formed in flexible ribbon shape, and thereby be readily applied to the end of the cigarette. Furthermore, with the igniting band referred to applied around the outside end of the cigarette, the igniting action takes place entirely outside and permits the fulminate components to exhaust themselves in the free air, as do also the fuse elements, leaving residual coal embers on the inside which penetrate into and ignite the tobacco contents of the cigarette.

While I have described and shown my invention as applicable to cigarettes, it will be readily understood that the same may be used in connection with cigars or little cigars, and that wherever I h'ave referred to the term cigarette in the specification or claims, I intend to describe and include as within its scope other similar articles, such is cigars and little cigars.

My invention consists in the novel devices described and shown, but is not to be regarded as limited to such particular form or forms, the scope of my invention being defined in the claims appended hereto.

This application is a continuation in part of a co-pending application heretofore filed by me, Serial No. 68,281.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a view of a cigarette having my self-igniting means applied to the end thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a view of unwrapped cigarette paper to which has been applied a fuse band showing a step in the process of preparing'my self-lighting cigarettes; and

Fig. 4 is an illustrative enlarged end view of the cigarette showing in detail the laminates comprising the igniting band.

The preferred embodiment of my invention consists of a completed cigarette comprising the usual circular wrapping paper 11 surrounding a tobacco-filled center 10 and around the lighting end of which is an exterior narrow band 12. This band comprises a fuse component 20 as shown in Fig. 4 composed of a combination of a coal-forming substance and an oxidizer mixed with and bound by a nitro-cellulose base or simi lar compound. A preferred form of this fuse is described and set forth in a co-pending application, Serial No. 54,797 as follows: fine wood flour or sawdust ground to a consistency of 120 screen and preferably of hickory or ash, or other non-resinous woods that make a suitable ash, is submitted to a solution of about eight per cent pctassiu nitrate. The mixture is boiled for about ten minutes, and then thoroughly dried. The powder thus formed is then mixed with nitro-cellulose solution. One part of the treated wood flour is mixed with eight parts by weight of a twelve-ounce nitro-cellulose solution. The proportion of the wood flour and nitro-cellulose may be varied as fuses or fuse bands of different characteristics are required or where different weight nitro-cellulose is used. The twelve-ounce nitrocellulose dispersion and solution referred to consists of 12 ounces of nitro-cellulose to a gallon of the solution, the solvent being some readily evaporating liquid capable of dispersing the nitrocellulose and evaporating after spreading. like ethyl acetate, or combinations of solvents or dispensing agents such as ethyl acetate, benzol, acetone, butyl acetate, ethyl alcohol and others commonly used in the preparation of nitro-cellulose lacqucrs. The nitro-cellulose may be prepared in any usual manner from cotton linters, and preferably is used in a liquid form. The mixture above described may be thinned with additional benzol or ethyl acetate or other solvent, and then is stirred in a receptacle and allowed to stand a sufiicient time to permit all bubbles to rise. It then may be spread in film sheets, and, as the dispersing agent evaporates, a layer of the mixture is formed. It will be found that this mixture has sufficient consistency so that it may be manipulated into ribbon form. If deSired the composition may be used and applied in other ways. In spreading the mixture, it is preferable to draw the same from the bottom of the container, as that prevents air bubbles from forming in the mixture and destroying its homogeneous structure. The resulting composition or fuse band consists of the wood flour, which serves as a coal-forming and burning body for the composition, thoroughly impregnated with potassium nitrate or other oxidizing substance, which mixture in turn is impregnated with and bound by the nitro-cellulose substance. Exteriorly placed around the fuse is a lamina covering of fulminating substance. Such substance contains the usual fulminating elements preferably mixed with and bound by a nitro-cellulose base or similar compound. A form of such fulminating substance is described and shown in a co-pending application, Serial No. 54,796 as follows: Four parts of potassium chlorate or other suitable oxidizer in proper proportion, one part of sulphur, three parts of a fractionizer such as ground glass, and one-half part of a substance such as red phosphorus are thoroughly mixed together in dry form. Two parts of the powder are then mixed with one part of nitro-cellulose dispersion or solution of a consistency of 12 ounces of nitro-cellulose to a gallon of the solution in a dispersing agent such as benzol and ethyl acetate. The igniting band as a whole may be affixed to the cigarette by a glue. Preferably I employ as a glue a nitro-cellulose substance which is particularly advantageous for this purpose, as it itself is selfinflammable. The affixing of the igniting band to the cigarette paper may be doneby the ordinary application of the substance such as I have described as a glue, or the same result may be accomplished by applying to the under side of the igniting band a slight amount of the proper sol vent such as ethyl acetate) which will soften a sufficient amount of the nitro-cellulose band in the band to cause it to function as a glue. Such application of the solvent also will serve to soften the band itself and render it satisfactorily flexible for its application to the cigarette paper. The band subsequently will harden and be fixedly applied to the cigarette paper.

In making my cigarette, I preferably prepare my igniting band in a ribbon form. If a base such as nitro-cellulose is used as a binder for the ingredients in the band, this is readily accomplished, as such base rendersthe band flexible. The fuse and part of the band first may be prepared by mixing the ingredients in a solution of nitro-cellulose thinned in a solvent such as ethyl acetate and spreading the same on a smooth surface as is set forth in the pending application referred to. The fulminating lamina may then be applied by spreading same in a similar manner over the fuse. The spread, when hardened, may be readily cut into ribbon form and such ribbon rolled on suitable bobbins. The ribbon preferably is applied to uncut cigarette paper prior to thetobacco wrapping operation as illustrated in Fig. 3 by suitable automatic mechanism, such, for example, as shown in a pending application of mine, Serial No. 65,278, or it may, if desired, be applied after the cigarette is formed. The ribbon, when suitably cut, may be applied to the cigarette paper either by spreading glue on its under surface, preferably an internally combustible glue such as that made with nitro-cellulose, or when the band is made in the preferred form above described by touching the under side with a slight amount of a solvent (such as ethyl acetate) which will cause that edge of the band to function as a glue. If the preferred operation is followed, the igniting band preferably is applied in double width at double cigarette lengths. After the cigarette paper has been prepared as described and the usual tobacco filling and wrapping operation completed, the cigarette rods may be cut midway the bands and at intervals between them, thus providing a series of cigarettes having one-half the width of the original igniting bands applied to one end.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the resulting cigarette end consists of a tobacco-filled center 10 surrounded by the usual paper 11. Applied to the paper is the igniting band consisting of a lamination of a fulminate 21, a fuse 20 and a glue element 22. The fulminate is adapted to ignite with theminimum amount of friction on suitable abrasive surfaces. It dispels its gases without offensiveness and is so placed that it will function at any location of its complete circumference and may not be dislodged. The fuse is of a consistency to be readily ignited, to generate the maximum amount of heat when ignited, to do so without obnoxious effects, to hold and prolong its heat until the proper results are obtained, and to render also the composition moisture proof. The glue element is such that it holds the band firmly in its place, that it itself is a transmitter of fire and internally combustible, and has no obnoxious fumes and also forms a moisture proof coat on the inside of the band.

The three elements described composing the lamination forming the igniting band, all having as a base a nitro-cellulose compound, are of a homogeneous consistency and are readily affected by the same solvent, so that a slight amount of the proper solvent (such as ethyl acetate) or a glue element containing such a solvent will soften the complete band including the fulminate lamina, permitting the band easily to-be adjusted to the cigarette wrapper before or after rolling, stiffening when dried to any shape cigarette. A solvent being used that quickly evaporates will cause the band to stiffen into whatever form it dries in. This stiffening of the band in its final form produces the maximum amount of resist ance, a thing to be desired when frictioning for ignition.

The igniting band thus formed will have general homogeneous characteristics, while yet the fuse and fulminate will retain their distinctive places in the band as lamina. Further, it will be noted that a progressive form of ignition is provided by such band. The fulminate will ignite at any point around the band upon a suitable abrasive surface and may either be made of the strike-anywhere or safety variety. The lamina form will cause the fuse proper to ignite quickly around the whole of the cigarette. The fuse will prolong the fire by its coal-forming properties transmi ting its heat in intensified form through the 'nitro-cellulose glue element to the cigarette. The glowing coals contained in the fuse band adjacent the cigarette filler will ignite through the nitro-cellulose glue, an active transmitter of fire, not only the cigarette paper but the actual tobacco-filled center. The fuse of the igniting band above described is of such composition that it will ignite at less than 1200 F. and the igniting band is capable of staticly igniting the tobacco of the cigarette to which it is attached, that is, without a draft of air being drawn through the cigarette as is necessary when using matches or other lighters. When a cigarette is lighted in the usual manner by means of a match or lighter, the temperature of ignition of the tobacco at the end of the cigarette is in the neighborhood of 2000 F. and the hot gases drawn through the cigarette scorch the tobacco in the body of the cigarette as well as soften the cigarette and affect the tobacco in such a manner as to prevent enjoyment by the smoker of the full flavor and taste thereof. The deleterious effect of hot gases on the tobacco is avoided in a cigarette equipped with the igniting band above described for the ignition takes place at approximately 1200 F. and the lighting of the cigarette is accomplished staticly.

In the preferred form of my invention described. it will be noted that my igniting band is formed of three separate elements having their distinctive functions as follows:

(a) A fulminate that ignites with the 1) minimum amount of friction, (2) that dispels its gases without offensiveness, (3) that is so placed it will function at any location of its complete circumference when in place, (4) that will not be dislodged, (5) that has a homogeneous relation to the band it serves, and (6) not affected by moisture.

(b) A fuse band of a consistency (l) to be readily ignited, (2) to generate the maximum amount of heat when ignited, (3) to do so without obnoxious effects, (4) to hold or prolong its heat until the proper results are obtained, (5) to be of a texture that can be made into ribbon form for convenience in applying same, and (6) not affected by moisture.

(c) A glue element (1) that holds band firmly in place, (2) that transmits fire, (3) that has no obnoxious fumes, (4) that is not affected by moisture, and (5) homogeneous with the band it holds in place.

Each of the three elements are of the same homogeneous consistency and are readily affected by the same solvent. A complete band may be softened and made flexible by a suitable application of such solvent with a maximum amount of stiffness upon drying.

A modified form of fuse band may consist merely of wood flour impregnated with and bound into composition in sheet form by nitro-cellulose. With proper ratio of wood flour to nitro-cellulose and consequent dispersion of the nitro-cellulose a slow burning self-oxidizing coal-forming fuse is obtained, the ratio of wood flour to nitrocellulose being variable according to the result desired. The nitro-cellulose contributes sufiicient excess oxygen released by it to sustain combustion of the wood flour to produce coal. The amount of coal formed will be dependent upon the thickness of the band and the concentration of coal-forming material in the band. With more concentration the band may be made thinner, but may require the provision of additional oxidizing influence.

Thus I have provided a self-lighting cigarette with an igniting band which causes the cigarette to be lighted, even without the requirement of drawing, by an ignition that starts from without and burns inwardly, gaining in intensity until the fire is carried directly to the tobaccofilled center. The action is prolonged until complete ignition is secured. The band is internally combustible, that is, it will continue to burn without the aid of outside oxygen. The band being applied to the outside end of the cigarette, all fumes are carried away. However, it is to be noted that nitro-cellulose is entirely odorless and is not obnoxious in any way. I do not intend, however, to limit myself to such form of cigarette with an outside band, as the band may be applied in other ways; that is, to the inside of the cigarette or to the end thereof or in the form of a cap. I have found that the form of embodying the fulminates and the fuse in a lamina band is distinctly preferable, but other ways may likewise be used. In lieu of nitro-cellulose as a base for the elements of the igniting band, other substances may be used. Gums or resins mixed with suitable oxidizers may furnish an equivalent and may be similarly self-oxidizing and self-combustible. I have found, however, that nitro-cellulose is the most satisfactory base and binder to use.

I claim:

1. An ignition band to be applied to the end of a cigarette comprising a lamina of a self-oxidizing coal-forming combustible substance, a lamina of fulminating substance covering the 'outersurface of said first lamina, and a combustible adhesive on the inner surface of said first lamina for attaching the band to a cigarette.

2. An ignition band to be applied to the end of a cigarette comprising a lamina of a self-oxidizing coal-forming combustible substance containing nitro-cellulose, a fulminating substance containing nitro-cellulose covering the outer surface of said lamina and a combustible adhesive containing nitro-cellulose on the inner surface of said lamina for attaching the band to the cigarette.

3. In combination, an igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a self-oxidizing coal-forming combustible substance and fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed of an internally combustible substance and an adhesive homogeneous with said binder for afiixing said igniter to a cigarette or the like.

4. In combination, an igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a self-oxidizing coal-forming combustible substance and fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed of nitro-cellulose and an adhesive homogeneous with said binder for affixing said igniter to a cigarette or the like.

5. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the 14\ like comprising a self-oxidizing coal-forming combustible substance capable of being ignited at a temperature not exceeding 1200 F. and fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed of an internally combustible substance.

6. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a lamina composed of combustible material and oxidizing material agglutinated with a binder composed of an internally combustible substance and a lamina of fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed oi. an internally combustible substance.

7. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a lamina composed of combustible material and oxidizing material agglutinated with a binder composed of nitro-cellulose and a lamina of fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed of nitro-cellulose.

8. In combination, an igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising combustible material, oxidizing material and fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed 01' an internally combustible substance, and an adhesive homogeneous with said binder for aflixlng said igniter to a cigarette or the like.

9. In combination, an igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising combustible material, oxidizing material and fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed of nitrocellulose, and an adhesive homogeneous with said binder for aflixing said igniter to a cigarette or the like.

10. In combination, an igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising coal-forming. material, oxidizing material in proper quantity to produce coals, and fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed of an internally combustible substance and an adhesive homogeneous with said binder for aflixing said igniter to a cigarette or the like.

11. In combination, an igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising coal-forming material, oxidizing material in proper quantity to produce coals, and fulminating material agglutinated with a binder composed of nitro-cellulose, and an adhesive homogeneous with said binder for affixing said igniter to a cigarette or the like.

12. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes comprising a lamina composed of coal-forming combustible material and oxidizing material of proper quantity to produce coals, said materials being agglutinated with a binder of an internally combustible substance, asuperposed lamina composed of fulminating material agglutinated with a binder of an internally combustible substance and an adhesive on the under surface of said first lamina for attaching the igniter to a cigarette, said adhesive being composed of an internally combustible substance.

13. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes comprising a lamina composed of coal-forming combustible material and oxidizing material of proper quantity to produce coals, said materials being agglutinated with a binder of nitro-cell-ulose, a superposed lamina composed of fulminating material agglutinated with a binder of nitrocellulose, and an adhesive on the under surface of said first lamina for attaching the igniter to a cigarette, said adhesive being composed of nitro-cellulose.

14. An igniter ior self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a lamina formed of a selfoxidizing combustible coal-forming composition and an adhering lamina of fulminating material agglutinated with a binder of an internlly combustible substance.

15. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a lamina of self-oxidizing combustble coal-forming composition containing nitro-cellulose and a lamina of fulminating material agglutinated with a nitro-cellulose binder.

16. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a band surrounding one end of the cigarette or the like and being formed of superposed lamina: of self-oxidizing coalforming combustible material ignitable at a temperature not exceeding 1200 F. and a fulminating material agglutinated with a binder of an internally combustible substance.

17. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a band surrounding one end of the cigarette or the like and being formed of lamina: of self-oxidizing coal-forming combustible material containing nitro-cellulose and fulminating materal agglutinated with a nitrocellulose binder.

18. An igniter for self-lighting cigarettes or the like comprising a band fitted around the end of the cigarette or the like and being composed of coal-forming combustible material and oxidizing material agglutinated with nitro-cellulose l! and capable of ignition at a temperature not exceeding 1200" F.

JOHN PARSONS. 

